The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has agreed to strengthen how it flags the issue of live export to its members and to meet with the Global Stop Live Exports Network.
It was responding to the Global Stop Live Exports Network’s letter raising concerns about risk in the global livestock carrier fleet. Stop Live Export South Africa was among the 38 animal welfare and protection organisations that signed the letter.
IUMI agreed that awareness of the risks associated with livestock transport by sea is important and said the reputational aspects of the issue also deserve attention.
IUMI confirmed that livestock transport is already included on its ESG Watch List, which is used to raise sustainability-related matters with its members. It also said it would update that entry to include a reference to the 2026 Global Livestock Fleet Report.
The organisation has also accepted the Global Stop Live Exports Network’s invitation to meet virtually and discuss the findings of the report, as well as ways to further inform IUMI members about the risks associated with livestock transport.
IUMI did, however, decline the request to develop sector-specific underwriting standards. It explained that, as a trade association, it cannot influence the underwriting decisions of individual insurers under competition law. IUMI also said that issuing specific guidance on livestock transport could risk being interpreted as endorsing or facilitating the trade rather than contributing to improvements in animal welfare.
The Global Stop Live Exports Network has welcomed IUMI’s engagement and looks forward to the discussion ahead.
For Stop Live Export South Africa, being part of this joint international effort reflects our support for coordinated global action to challenge the systems and industries connected to live export.
What you can do
Read the 2026 Global Livestock Fleet Report. Share it. Write to your local representative or the Department of Agriculture asking where South Africa stands on live export reform.
Support the organisations, like Stop Live Export SA, pushing for an end to live export. Sign our petitions, sign up for our newsletter and join our protests. Make your voice matter!
Join the movement to stay informed
- Sign the Petition to ban live export by sea
- Subscribe to the Stop Live Export SA newsletter
- Facebook: Stop Live Export SA
- Instagram: @stoplxsa
- Website: stopliveexport.co.za
